Reading in the news - Tue 19 Apr

Climate Ambassadors Scheme: TV meteorologist and Reading alumna Laura Tobin spoke to (35 mins) about caring for the planet, including her involvement in the Climate Ambassadors Scheme, being launched later week by the 色狗导航 and STEM Learning. The scheme, part of the UK Government’s national climate education strategy aims to connect climate experts with schools and teachers who require advice and support to teach young people about climate change and improve their own sustainability.

COVID-19: expert comment on the pandemic

• Dr Simon Clarke (Biological Sciences) spoke to Times Radio about the XE variant, the latest UK Covid statistics, and pressure on the NHS; BBC Radio Berkshire about UK cases and how a newly approved vaccine works, and BBC Radio Scotland about Scotland's change in regulations and the necessity of masks. Dr Clarke is quoted by the , , , , , , , , and  on the fourth booster being offered in the UK;  and  on what ‘living what Covid’ means, and by  and  on the unknown seriousness of the XE variant. 
• (approx. 12 mins in) spoke to Professor Gary Stephens (Pharmacy) in coverage about research involving Fifi the llama from the University that found specialist antibodies taken from llamas can help treat Covid-19.
• Dr Hannah Newton (History) is quoted by the  on the historical origins of convalescent care, a 19th-century practice that may help treat long Covid. 
•  reports on research by Henley Business School on the impact of the pandemic on creative industries. 
• Dr Al Edwards (Pharmacy) is quoted by the New Scientist (in print) on persistent systems despite negative lateral flow test results, and by  and  on the development of a universal vaccine that boosts T-cell immunity. 

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment 

• Professor Mathew Owens (Meteorology) is quoted by  on the unexpected increase in solar activity and sunspots on the sun.
• , , , and  report on collaborative research from the University on the impact of hydrogen leaks on the atmosphere.
• Research co-led by Dr Michaela Hegglin (Meteorology) on the impact of the ozone on the warming of the Southern Ocean is covered by , , and . Read our news story.
•  mentions Reading's contribution to the development of a new Farming Simulator game that will educate players on sustainable and environmentally friendly agri-technologies. Read our news story.
•  reports on Professor Ed Hawkins's (Meteorology) new climate spiral visual representation of the earth's rising temperatures that was shared by NASA.
• In an interview with , PhD researcher Akshay Deoras (Meteorology) is quoted on the challenges of weather forecasting, 

Ukraine:

• Dr Kenton White (Politics & International Relations) is quoted by  (and in print) on chemical weapons manufactured in Russia that have been used in Syria; by  (and in print) on the possibility of UN intervention; by  (and in print) on the threat of striking decisions, and by  on Nato's investment in defence spending and troops. Dr White's article on  on the Nato's 'Cold Response' military exercises is reposted by , , , and . 
• Professor Rosa Freedman (Law) spoke to BBC Radio Scotland and (approx. 1hr 15 mins in) about war crimes being committed by the Russian military and whether they can be classed as genocide.  
• Dr Alexander Mihailov (Economics) is quoted by  on Russia announcing a fixed price for buying gold with rubles.

Other Coverage:

• Professor Gunter Kuhnle (Food) is quoted by the , , , , , , , , , , , , and others on the sugar content of branded cereals compared to their cheaper supermarket-own counterparts. 
• Professor Nada Kakabadse (Henley Business School) is quoted by ' French language African channel, , , , , , , , , , , , and others on caution about the future of advanced microchip implants. 
• Dr Ruvi Ziegler (Law) discussed the UK's plan to offshore asylum seekers to Rwanda in an interview with . 
• Professor Mike Fulford (Archaeology) is quoted by the  (and in print), ,  (and in print), , , and  on the threat that developing a solar farm on top of the Roman Town of Silchester would pose to its important remains. 
• Professor Adrian Palmer (Henley Business School) is quoted by  (and in ) on businesses' response to the cost of living crisis.
•  and  report on findings from a Henley Business School study on the benefits of a four-day working week.
• A speaker on BBC Radio Scotland mentioned Emeritus Professor Kevin Warwick, Professor of Cybernetics, for testing an implant that allowed him to connect to computers, control robots, and sense ultrasound.
• BBC Radio Berkshire reports on a bench being installed in Caversham that was carved out of wood from a tree from the University as a memorial for a Reading schoolboy who was murdered last year.
• A student from the University spoke to BBC Radio Berkshire about films to watch over the Easter weekend.
• A comedian spoke on BBC Radio Northampton about being a guest at a BBC 'Question Time' event that was hosted at the University. 
• , , , , and  name Professor Eddie Obeng (Henley Business School) as an upcoming speaker at Blackboard's annual Teaching and Learning Conference. 
•  reports, and  and  quote Professor Simon Mortimer (Agriculture) on the 色狗导航 being ranked as a top UK University, and 6th in Europe, to study agriculture. Read our news story about the QS World Rankings by Subject 2022.
• , , , , , and  report on research from the University that may lead to a new direction of treatment for Alzheimer's.
• , , and  publish GPA's company announcement which lists their support of the European Centre for Medium-range Weather Forecast's (ECMWF) relocation to Reading's Whiteknights campus. 
•  reports on research by Professor Jeremy Spencer (Food) on the positive effects of blueberries on memory and concentration.
•  mentions an upcoming session to be led by Professor Ian Givens (IFNH/Agriculture) on the benefits of dairy consumption as part of the IDF Nutrition and Health Symposium. 
•  and  report on Professor Lucia Nagib's (Film, Theatre, and Television) upcoming presentation to take place as part of the launch of Translocal magazine's third edition.
• Dr Sarah Needs (Pharmacy) is quoted by  on leading new research on the capability of smartphone tech to be used as accurate at-home testing kits for illnesses including Dengue Fever. 
• Dr Ruth Dowsett's (Construction Management & Engineering) article on introducing robotics to the construction supply chain is published by . 
•  reports on the Museum of English Rural Life's upcoming exhibition to celebrate 200 years of biscuits being made in Reading, which draws upon the University's archive.
•  reports on Professor Ken Dark (Economics) leading research that has led to a rise in the number of discoveries of royal graves in the UK.
• Lecturer in Screen Practices and Industries, Shweta Ghosh (Film, Theatre, and Television) is quoted by  on the need for the portrayal of disabled characters to challenge stereotypes. 
• Cheng Xunchang,a PhD student from the University, is quoted by  on the Chinese authority's change in font regulations. 
•  interviews a Reading student on young people's preference of either working from home or in an office environment. 
•  mentions Henley Business School's partnership with the MFT Initiative. 
• Antiques Trade Gazette (in ) mentions that a collection of original watercolour designs for the proposed furnishing of Eynsham are located at the University's library. 
•  lists the University as a place to study food. 
• An article posted by  and  on caring for houseplants quotes University research on the ideal humidity levels for indoor plants. 
•  cites a 2018 Henley Business School paper on the 'Side Hustle Economy'. 
•  reports on an aspiring filmmaker who hopes to study at Reading in the future. 

Alumni:

•  and  publish an obituary for a Reading graduate of 1969. 
• East Anglian Daily Times (in print) lists Lady Eve Balfour, a University graduate and the founder of The Soil Association, as an inspiring female figure.
•  and  mention the Isle of Wight's newly appointed High Sheriff took management programmes at the University. 
•  and  report on a Reading graduates appointment as Persimmon Home's new development control planner.
• interviews a Reading graduate on spreading legal awareness to contribute to the development of society. 
• reports that a Reading graduate has been awarded the title of Truman Scholar. 
•  reports on a Henley Business School graduate's appointment as chief operating officer at Teneo Ireland. 
•  reports on a Reading graduates appointment as RCNDE's new director.